Demi Lovato Talks Rehab: “I Honestly Thought My Career Was Over”

Demi Lovato was just 18 years old when she entered a rehab treatment in October 2010. At the time, she cited “physical and emotional issues” for her sudden departure from the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert tour. Later, fans learned Demi sought help for addiction and self-harm including an eating disorder. She was also diagnosed as bipolar.

Demi left rehab in January 2011 and since then, she’s rarely shied away from sharing the details of her struggles. The now-21-year-old has come to appreciate the unexpected responsibility being a pop star with millions of adoring fans puts her in, telling Entertainment Weekly, as reported by Us Weekly, that where some celebrities may disregard their position of “role model” she’s learned to embrace it.

“I used to say that too,” she says of disregarding role model status. “That was my excuse to do whatever the f—k I wanted and not give a s—t about what other people thought. Then I ended up going through some stuff. I realized I’m never going to escape the fact that I’m in the public eye, so I might as well do the best I can.”

When she entered rehab, Demi was working with The Jonas Brothers, starring in the Camp Rock movie series, and playing the lead on Disney’s Sonny With a Chance — all opportunities she thought her struggles would do away with.

“When I was in treatment, I honestly thought my career was over,” she says. “But when I came out of treatment, I had more supportive fans than ever.”

Demi will share new personal details in her upcoming tell-all memoir. While writing, she’s struggled with just how much to share.

“I’m battling with internal thoughts on how honest I should be,” she says. “Yes, I’ve been very honest, but if people really knew how dark and deep my struggles got — not just with my eating disorder but with drugs and alcohol — they’d be really shocked. But I’ll most likely end up saying everything. Maybe it’ll help other people in the industry who are headed down the wrong path.”